Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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WATER-DECOMPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water-decomposable
absorbent article for pantiliners, sanitary napkins,
incontinence pads, disposable diapers and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Recently, absorbent articles disposable in flush
toilets have come available, including, for example,
pantiliners, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, disposable
diapers and the like.
Such water-decomposable absorbent articles comprise a
combination of materials easily decomposable in water, in which
the water-decomposable materials are bonded to each other. If
the water-decomposable materials are not bonded firmly to each
other in some degree in them, the water-decomposable absorbent
articles could not retain their shape during their use, and will
be loosened to lose their fittability to the skin of wearers
or will be broken. However, if the constituent water-
decomposable materials are bonded too firmly to each other, they
could be hardly peeled from each other in flush toilets and
septic tanks.
If the water-decomposable materials constituting such
absorbent articles could not be immediately separated into the
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individual constituent layers in septic tanks, the absorbent
articles could hardly sink therein owing to the air existing
in their layers. When the water-decomposable materials are
sunk in septic tanks to receive a large amount of water therein,
they can be readily decomposed in water and biodegraded in
microorganisms living in water. Therefore, if absorbent
articles could not sink in septic tanks, they will be decomposed
extremely slowly.
To that effect, water-decomposable absorbent articles
are required to have two contradictory functions, one being the
bonding strength to ensure shape retention during their use and
the other being the rapid decomposability in water after
discarded. To meet this requirement, for example,
International Unexamined Patent Publication (Kohyo) No. Heisei
11-500341 discloses an absorbent article comprising a
water-decomposable top sheet, a water-decomposable back sheet
and a water-decomposable absorbent layer sandwiched between the
two sheets, in which the constituent components are bonded to
each other with a water-soluble adhesive disposed therebetween.
The absorbent article disclosed in this publication is
so constituted that no absorbent layer exists in the peripheral
region, and the top sheet and the back sheet are bonded to each
other with a water-soluble hot-melt adhesive or a water-soluble
emulsion adhesive disposed therebetween in the peripheral
region.
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However, in the absorbent article disclosed in
International Unexamined Patent Publication (Kohyo) No. Heisei
11-500341, a water-soluble hot-melt adhesive is applied to the
peripheral region to form a spiral adhesive pattern therein,
or a water-soluble emulsion adhesive is applied thereto. In
this, therefore, the adhesiveness between the top sheet and the
back sheet in the peripheral region of the absorbent article
is not satisfactory. In that condition, the top sheet and the
back sheet are often peeled off from each other in the peripheral
region while the absorbent article is used, and, as a result,
the absorbent article could not retain its shape, and will be
often loosened or broken during its use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a
water-decomposable absorbent article in which the constituent
components are more firmly bonded to each other in the
peripheral region of the article to thereby enhance the shape
retention of the article during its use, but could be readily
separated from each other when disposed of in flush toilets.
According to one aspect of the invention, a water-
decomposable absorbent article may comprise a water-
decomposable back layer, a water-decomposable and liquid-
pervious surface layer, and a water-decomposable absorbent
layer sandwiched between the back layer and the surface layer
and having a smaller planar dimension than the back layer and
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the surface layer, wherein;
the absorbent article including an inner region in which
the absorbent layer is present, and an outer peripheral region
having the back layer and the surface layer bonded to each other
without interposing the absorbent layer therebetween and being
formed in a predetermined width spaced from a peripheral edge
of the absorbent article; a thermoplastic water-soluble
adhesive is applied in a strip shape between the back layer and
the surface layer in a predetermined width along the peripheral
edge in the outer peripheral region; and the back layer and the
surface layer are heat-sealed with the thermoplastic water-
soluble adhesive disposed therebetween in the outer peripheral
region.
For example, the thermoplastic water-soluble adhesive
is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), more preferably a cold water-
soluble polyvinyl alcohol derivative.
In the invention, the outer peripheral region of the
absorbent article is heat-sealed with a thermoplastic
water-soluble adhesive, for example, with PVA, disposed in a
predetermined width of the outer peripheral region. Therefore,
the shape retention of the absorbent article during its use is
good. The bonding between the layers in the region ensures high
adhesiveness in dry. During its use, the absorbent article
mainly receives body fluid in an inner region, and the body fluid
absorbed by it hardly spreads to the outer peripheral region.
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Therefore, the surface layer and the back layer are hardly
peeled off from each other in the outer peripheral region, so
that the shape of the abs-orbent article can be easily retained
during its use.
When the absorbent article is, after used, disposed of
in flush toilets, the water-soluble adhesive such as PVA, swells
and dissociates in water, and the back layer and the surface
layer are peeled off from each other. As a result, the
constituent layers of the thus-disposed absorbent article are
separated from each other and are readily decomposed in septic
tanks, etc.
In particular, in the outer peripheral region of the
absorbent article, no absorbent layer is sandwiched between the
back layer and the surface layer, and the back layer and the
surface layer are directly bonded to each other with the
water-soluble adhesive disposed therebetween. Accordingly,
the absorbent article is well self-retainable as a whole, and
after it is disposed of, the back layer and the surface layer
constituting it are readily peeled off from each other and all
the constituent layers are therefore readily separated from
each other.
Preferably, in the absorbent article of the invention,
a layer of the thermoplastic water-soluble adhesive is formed
almost entirely both in the outer peripheral region of the
article and in the inner region thereof inside the outer
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peripheral region. For example, the thermoplastic water-
soluble adhesive layer is made of an independent film disposed
separately from the back layer. Preferably, the film for the
thermoplastic water-soluble adhesive layer is laminated on the
back layer.
In case where the thermoplastic water-soluble adhesive
layer is disposed almost entirely on the back layer with the
absorbent layer overlying the back layer in the preferred manner
as above, the thermoplastic water-soluble adhesive layer can
prevent liquid permeation through it and therefore can prevent
body fluid from passing outside through the back layer.
According to another aspect of the invention, a
water-decomposable absorbent article may comprise a water-
decomposable back layer, a water-decomposable and liquid-
pervious surface layer, and a water-decomposable absorbent
layer sandwiched between the back layer and the surface layer
and having a smaller planar dimension than the back layer and
the surface layer, wherein;
the absorbent article including an outer peripheral
region having the back layer and the surface layer bonded to
each other without interposing the absorbent layer therebetween
and being formed in a predetermined width spaced from a
peripheral edge of the absorbent article; the back layer and
the surface layer in the outer peripheral region are bonded to
each other by bonding means adapted for being dissociated in
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water; and the bonding means is at least partially omitted to
form an omitted portion.
In this aspect of the invention, the bonding means in
the outer peripheral region of the absorbent article can enhance
the shape retention of the article during its use, and when the
absorbent article is, after used, disposed of in flush toilets,
a large amount of water penetrates into the inside area of the
article through the omitted portion of the bonding means,
thereby facilitating the dissociation of the bonding means as
triggered at the omitted portion. In addition, the water having
penetrated into the inside area of the absorbent article through
the omitted portion acts to remove air away from the absorbent
article, and, as a result, the absorbent article thus containing
water can readily sink in septic tanks and can be readily
decomposed therein.
In particular, it is desirable that the omitted portion
is provided at least one end edge in the longitudinal direction
of the absorbent article.
No omitted portion is provided at both side edges in the
transverse direction of the absorbent article. Therefore,
while used, the absorbent article is free from the drawback of
layer separation such that the surface layer and the back layer
constituting it are peeled of f from each other on both side edges
in the transverse direction thereof owing to the movement of
the body to which it is fitted.
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For example, the bonding means is formed by heat-sealing
the back layer and the surface layer with a thermoplastic
water-soluble adhesive disposed therebetween.
The bonding means is partially omitted, and therefore
immediately loses its bonding force when it receives a large
amount of water, as triggered at the omitted portion. The
absorbent article thus having lost its bonding force can sink
in septic tanks and can be readily biodegraded. Therefore, the
material for the bonding means in the absorbent article is not
limited to only water-soluble adhesives such as PVA and others.
As the case may be, the back layer and the surface layer
constituting the absorbent article may be bonded to each other,
for example, through mechanical compression sealing, or
chemical hydrogen bonding, etc.
The absorbent article of the invention can retain its
shape even when an adhesive is not provided between the surface
layer and the absorbent layer and between the back layer and
the absorbent layer in the inner region except for the outer
peripheral region. However, so far as it does not detract from
the decomposability of the absorbent article in water, the
water-soluble adhesive may be provided between the surface
layer and the absorbent layer and/or between the back layer and
the absorbent layer to bond them in the inner region of the
absorbent article.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
absorbent article of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article
of Fig. 1, cut along the line II-II;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article as shown
in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2; and
Fig. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the
absorbent article of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention is described concretely with reference to
the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one
embodiment of an absorbent article of the invention, looking
from its top surface (this top surface serves as a body facing
surface); Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent
article of Fig. 1, cut along the line II-II; and Fig. 3 and Fig.
4 are both plan views of different types of the absorbent
articles of the invention, indicating the bonding profile of
a round-seal portion formed in the article. In these drawings,a
longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is designated
by Y, and a transverse direction generally perpendicular to the
direction Y is designated by X.
The absorbent article of the invention shown in Fig. 1
and Fig. 2 is for pantiliners or sanitary napkins. As shown
in Fig. 2, an absorbent article 1 comprises a water-decomposable
and liquid-pervious surface layer 10 which serves as a body
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facing surface, a water-decomposable back layer 12, and a
water-decomposable absorbent layer 11 sandwiched between the
surface layer 10 and the back layer 12. A thermoplastic
water-soluble adhesive layer 13 is disposed between the back
layer 12 and the absorbent layer 11.
The thermoplastic water-soluble adhesive layer 13 is of
a water-soluble PVA, but preferably a cold water-soluble PVA
derivative. This is provided almost entirely on the back layer
12. The water-soluble adhesive layer 13 is in the form of an
independent film provided separately from the back layer 12,
or is in the form of a film laminated on the back layer 12, or
is coated almost entirely on the back layer 12.
In an outer peripheral region lb of the absorbent article
1 that extends in a predetermined width from a peripheral edge
le to a boundary 3 thereof, the surface layer 10 and the back
layer 12 are laminated. Specifically, the planar dimension of
the absorbent layer 11 is smaller than that of both the surface
layer 10 and the back layer 12, and the absorbent layer 11 is
present only in an inner region la existing inside the boundary
3.
In the outer peripheral region lb, the surface layer 10
and the back layer 12 are heated under pressure so as to surround
the absorbent layer 11. Concretely, without disposing the
absorbent layer 11 therebetween, the surface layer 10 and the
back layer 12 are heat-sealed with the thermoplastic water-
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soluble adhesive layer 13 of PVA or the like disposed between
them, to thereby form a round-seal portion 2.
The width of the outer peripheral region lb that extends
from the peripheral edge le to the boundary 3 (the boundary 3
generally corresponds to the edge of the absorbent layer 11)
preferably falls between 2 and 25 mm, more preferably between
8 and 20 mm.
The round-seal portion 2 may be formed to cover the entire
width of the outer peripheral region lb, or, as the case may
be, the width W of the round-seal portion 2 in the outer
peripheral region lb may be smaller than the width of the outer
peripheral region lb, as shown in Fig. 3. In the embodiment
illustrated in Fig. 3, the round-seal portion 2 is formed into
a strip configuration to extend the entire periphery of the
absorbent article, having a width designated by W. The width
W of the round-seal portion 2 may fall, for example, between
1 and 4 mm or so.
If the width W is smaller than the lowermost limit of
the defined range, the shape-retaining force of the absorbent
article 1 will be low. However, if the width W is larger than
the uppermost limit, the area of the absorbent layer in the inner
region la shall decrease, so that the ability of the absorbent
article 1 to absorb body fluid will be lowered. In addition,
the absorbent article 1 having such a broad round-seal portion
2 will be poorly flexible and will give a hard feel to the skin
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of a wearer to which it is fitted.
In the illustrated absorbent article 1, a strip-like
round-seal portion 2 having a predetermined width W is formed
in the outer peripheral region lb. With that, the surface layer
and the back layer 12 are surely bonded to each other in the
outer peripheral region lb. In addition, since the two layers
10 and 12 are heat-sealed in the strip-like region having such
a predetermined width W, along with the thermoplastic
water-soluble adhesive layer 13 of PVA or the like disposed
therebetween, the bonding strength between the surface layer
10 and the back layer 12 is enhanced. Therefore, while the
absorbent article 1 is fitted to the skin of a wearer, it surely
retains its shape, and, in addition, the surface layer 10 and
the back layer 12 constituting it are hardly peeled off from
each other in the outer peripheral region lb. Accordingly,
during its use, the absorbent article 1 is hardly loosened or
broken.
Since the heat-sealing in the outer peripheral region
lb is attained via the water-soluble adhesive layer 13 of PVA
or the like disposed between the two layers 10 and 12, the
water-soluble adhesive layer 13 well swells in water and loses
its adhesiveness when the absorbent article 1 is, after used,
disposed of in flush toilets and led to septic tanks. In the
thus-discarded absorbent article 1, the surface layer 10 and
the back layer 12 immediately peel off from each other in the
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outer peripheral region lb.
As a result, the discarded absorbent article 1 is, when
led to septic tanks and kept therein, readily separated-into
the surface layer 10, the back layer 12 and the absorbent layer
11. In addition, water penetrates into the inside area of the
absorbent article 1 through the delaminated space in the outer
peripheral region lb, and acts to remove air away from the
absorbent article 1. Accordingly, the absorbent article 1 thus
containing water with little air therein can readily sink in
septic tanks and is further separated into the individual layers
and biodegraded therein.
In the invention, the surface layer 10 and the back layer
12 are bonded to each other via the thermoplastic water-soluble
adhesive layer 13 therebetween, only in the outer peripheral
region lb of the absorbent article 1, so that the absorbent
article 1 can retain its shape owing to the layer-to-layer
bonding only in that region. Therefore, in the absorbent
article 1, it is unnecessary to bond the constituent layers with
an adhesive in the inner region la, and it is rather desirable
not to bond them in the inner region la. When the absorbent
article 1 is, after used, disposed of in flush toilets and led
to septic tanks, the surface layer 10 and the back layer 12
constituting it are readily peeled off from each other in the
round-seal portion 2 of the outer peripheral region lb, and the
absorbent article 1 is readily separated into the individual
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surface layer 10, back layer 12 and absorbent layer 11, and then
immediately decomposed in water and biodegraded. If desired,
however, the constituent layers may be partially bonded to each
other with a rapidly water-soluble adhesive in the interface
between the surface layer 10 and the absorbent layer 11 and/or
the interface between the absorbent layer 11 and the-back layer
12 in the inner region la of the absorbent article 1.
In the absorbent article 1, the water-soluble adhesive
layer 13 is formed almost entirely on the top surface of the
back layer 12, and it acts as a body fluid leak-preventing layer.
In this, the body fluid having passed through the absorbent
layer 11 is absorbed by the water-soluble adhesive layer 13 to
prevent the body fluid from passing outside through the back
layer 12.
As set forth above, the thermoplastic water-soluble
adhesive layer 13 is preferably made of a water-soluble PVA film,
more preferably a film of a cold water-soluble PVA derivative.
The film prepared separately from the back layer 12 is laid over
the back layer 12, or is integrated with the back layer 12 by
means of lamination.
On the other hand, a thermoplastic water-soluble
adhesive may be applied to the top surface of the back layer
12 to cover almost the entire area thereof. Except for PVA,
any other water-soluble adhesives for heat-sealing are usable
herein, including, for example, water-soluble polymers such as
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polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and isobutylene-maleic anhydride
copolymer, etc.
The amount of the film-like water-soluble adhesive or
the coating water-soluble adhesive applied to the round-seal
portion 2 preferably falls between 10 and 30 g/m2. Within the
defined range, the adhesive does not interfere with smooth
delamination in the round-seal portion 2 in the outer peripheral
region lb of the absorbent article disposed of in flush toilets
and led to septic tanks, and its adhesiveness is enough for shape
retention of the absorbent article 1 during its use.
The back layer 12 is readily dispersed in water jets in
flush toilets or in water in septic tanks. It may be formed
of water-decomposable paper, water-decomposable non-woven
fabric or the like that contains water-dispersible fibers. For
example, it may be made of (1) a water-decomposable paper sheet
of pulp f ibers in which the pulp f ibers are bonded to each other
via hydrogen bonding therebetween, (2) a water-decomposable
paper sheet of pulp fibers and other water-dispersible fibers
of rayon or the like in which the constituent fibers are bonded
to each other with a water-soluble binder, (3) a water-
decomposable paper sheet of water-decomposable fibers in which
the constituent fibers are simply entangled, or (4) a
water-decomposable non-woven fabric of water-dispersible
fibers having a relatively short length where the constituent
fibers are forcedly entangled through water-jetting treatment.
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If desired, the outer surface of the back layer 12 (this outer
surface serves as a garment facing surface) may be coated with
a water-soluble resin such as a polyvinyl alcohol, -an
unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer or the like. Thus coated,
the back layer 12 will be impervious to fluid.
The absorbent layer 11 may be made of, for example,
water-decomposable paper, pulp or non-woven fabric. For
example, air-laid pulp or the like may be formed into the
absorbent layer 11 to have a unit weight (Metsuke) of from 50
to 70 g/mZ or so. In case where water-decomposable paper is
used for forming the absorbent layer 11, it is desirable that
a plurality of relatively thin sheets of water-decomposable
papers are stacked to form it, since the thus stacked sheets
are well decomposable in water. For example, 4 to 8 sheets of
water-decomposable paper having a unit weight of from 10 to 20
g/m2 are stacked to form the absorbent layer 11. Sheets of
water-decomposable paper coated with a water-swellable resin
such as polyvinyl alcohol or the like may be stacked to form
the absorbent layer 11.
The surface layer 10 is, for example, made of a
water-decomposable non-woven fabric of spun lace. On the other
hand, a plurality of sheets of water-decomposable paper may be
stacked on a water-decomposable non-woven fabric to form the
surface layer 10. In this case, the non-woven fabric and the
water-decomposable paper may be integrated through hydrogen
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bonding or needling. Since the surface layer 10 acts to lead
excretions to the underlying absorbent layer 11, it is
preferably perforated to have a plurality of perforations
through the entire area thereof, for example, as in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 illustrates the second embodiment of the present
invention.
In an absorbent article 1A as shown in Fig. 4, the
materials of the constituent layers and the water-soluble
adhesive layer 13 are the same as those in the absorbent article
1 illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In the outer peripheral
region lb, without disposing the absorbent layer 11
therebetween, the surface layer 10 and the back layer 12 are
heat-sealed via the thermoplastic water-soluble adhesive layer
13 of, for example, a PVA film or the like disposed therebetween,
thereby forming two round-seal portions 2a, 2a.
The round-seal portions 2a, 2a are the same as the
round-seal portion 2 in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1
to 3, in that they are formed into a strip configuration to have
a predetermined width W. However, in the absorbent article lA
of Fig. 4, the round-seal portions 2a, 2a are formed at both
side edges of the absorbent article 1A lying opposite one
another in the transverse direction (in the X direction), and
extending along each side edge in the longitudinal direction
(in the Y direction) . In this, the round-seal portions 2a, 2a
are not endless, and are provided with an omitted portion 4 at
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least one end edge of the absorbent article 1A lying opposite
one another in the longitudinal direction (in the Y direction).
The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 has two omitted portions
4 at both end edges in the longitudinal direction, which,
however, is not limitative. If desired, the omitted portion
may be formed only at one end edge in the longitudinal direction,
but not at the other end edge, on which, therefore, the
round-seal portion is continuous.
The omitted portions 4 may be provided at both side edges
of the absorbent article 1A lying opposite one another in the
transverse direction (in the X direction), and extending along
each side edge in the longitudinal direction (in the Y
direction). However, in case where they are so provided at both
side edges in the transverse direction X, the bonding strength
between the surface layer 10 and the back layer 12 in the omitted
portions become unsatisfactory relative to the shear force in
the direction X of the absorbent article fitted to the skin of
a wearer. Therefore, it is desirable that the omitted portions
4 are provided at the end edges in the longitudinal direction
of the absorbent article, as shown in Fig. 4.
The absorbent article 1A is so constituted as to have
the strip-like round-seal portions 2a, 2a formed on both side
edges in the transverse direction to have a predetermined width
W, and in this, the surface layer 10 and the back layer 12 are
heat-sealed in the round-seal portions 2a, 2a. Therefore,
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while the absorbent article 1A is fitted to the skin of a wearer,
it can well retain its shape, and is not loosened or broken by
the shear force in the direction X. When the absorbent article
1A is, after used, disposed of in flush toilets, a large amount
of water penetrates into it through the omitted portions 4,
thereby facilitating the dissociation of, the water-soluble
adhesive layer 13 in the round-seal portions 2a, 2a as triggered
at the omitted portions 4 to readily separate the article into
individual layers.
In particular, since the water having penetrated into
the inside area of the absorbent article through the omitted
portion acts to move air away from the absorbent article, and,
as a result, the absorbent article thus containing water can
readily sink in septic tanks. Accordingly, even if the
solubility in water of the round-seal portions 2a, 2a is poor,
the absorbent article of this embodiment can well sink in septic
tanks to receive a large amount of water therein, thereby being
readily decomposed in water. In addition, even when thesurface
layer 10 and the absorbent layer 11, and/or the absorbent layer
11 and the back layer 12 are bonded to each other with the
water-soluble adhesive therebetween in the inner region la, the
absorbent article having sunk in septic tanks well receives a
large amount of water through the omitted portions 4 and is
readily separated into individual layers so that the surface
layer 10 can be readily separated from the absorbent layer 11
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and the absorbent layer 11 from the surface layer 12.
In order to ensure the penetration of a large amount of
water into the absorbent article through the omitted portions
4, it is desirable that the omitted portions 4 have a width L
of from 10 to 40 mm. If desired, the omitted portions 4 may
be divided into plural parts on both end edges in the
longitudinal direction thereof. In this case, the overall
width of the plural parts to form one omitted portion at one
end edge may fall within the defined range of the width L.
In that manner, the embodiment of Fig. 4 is so constituted
that water is positively led into the inside area of the
absorbent article 1A through the omitted portions 4. In this,
therefore, even when the solubility in water of the round-seal
portions 2a, 2a is relatively poor as set forth above,
decomposition of the round-seal portions 2a, 2a can be well
promoted as triggered at the omitted portion 4. Due to these
omitted portions, the mode of forming the round-seal portions
2a, 2a is not limited to only heat-sealing with a thermoplastic
water-soluble adhesive of PVA or the like. For this, therefore,
employable is any other bonding means that includes, for example,
bonding with any other water-soluble or water-swellable
adhesives, hydrogen bonding, mechanical bonding, etc.
Preferably, in the invention, the back side of the
absorbent article, that is, the outer surface of the back layer
12 (this outer surface serves as a garment facing surface) is
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entirely coated with an adhesive and further covered with a
release film for protecting the adhesiveness of the adhesive
while the absorbent article is not used. Also preferably, the
release film is decomposable in water. Still preferably, the
package for the absorbent article is also decomposable in water.
EXAMPLES
The invention is described in more detail with reference
to the following Examples, which, however, are not intended to
restrict the scope of the invention.
For the examples of the invention, pantiliners were
prepared as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The pantiliner had a length
of 140 mm and a width of 55 mm. For this, the surface layer
was made of a non-woven fabric of wet-spun lace having a unit
weight (Metsuke) of 45 g/m2, and the absorbent layer 11 was made
by laminating five sheets of tissue papers (water-decomposable
papers) having a unit weight (Metsuke) of 14 g/mZ.
In Example 1, used was a non-woven fabric of wet-spun
lace having a unit weight of 45 g/mZ for the back layer 12, and
a water-soluble PVA film (having a unit weight of 40 g/mZ) was
prepared for the water-soluble adhesive layer 13, separately
from the back layer 12.
In Examples 2 and 3, used was the non-woven fabric of
wet-spun lace having a unit weight of 45 g/m2 for the back layer
12, and a water-soluble PVA film (having a unit weight of 30
g/m2) serving as the water-soluble adhesive layer 13 was
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integrated with the back layer 12 by laminating them.
In Examples 1 and 2, the round-seal portion was formed
entirely in the periphery-of the pantiliner, as shown in Fig.
3. On the other hand, in Example 3, the round-seal portion was
formed to have the omitted portions 4 on both end edges in the
longitudinal direction of the pantiliner, as, shown in Fig. 4.
Each omitted portion 4 had a width L of 20 mm.
The round-seal portion 2 having a width W of 2 mm was
formed by heat-sealing the surface layer 10 and the back layer
12 offset inwardly from the peripheral edge le of the pantiliner
by 3 mm. The heat-sealing was effected at 120 C under 3922 kPa
for 3 seconds.
In Comparative Example 1, the constituent layers were
the same as those in the Examples except that the water-soluble
adhesive layer 13 was not provided, and the layers were
heat-sealed in the outer peripheral region lb under the same
condition as in Examples.
In the respective Examples and Comparative Example, by
means of the water-soluble adhesive layer 13, the surface layer
was not bonded to the absorbent layer 11 and the absorbent
layer 11 was not bonded to the back layer 12, in the inner region
la of the pantiliner.
All in the Examples and Comparative Example, the surface
layer 10 was not bonded to the absorbent layer 11 and the
absorbent layer 11 was not to the back layer 12, in the inner
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region la of the pantiliner.
The pantiliners thus produced in the Examples and
Comparative Example were subjected to a wear test, a test in
a septic tank, and a test for decomposition in water. The data
obtained are given in Table 1 below.
(Wear Test)
The samples were tested by ten panelists. After used,
the condition of each sample was macroscopically checked. In
Table 1, "O" indicates that the tested samples were not broken;
and "x" indicates the tested samples were broken.
(Test in Septic Tank)
The samples were disposed of in a flush toilet and led
to a septic tank. In the septic tank, the behavior of each
sample was macroscopically checked. In Table 1, "O" indicates
that the sample were pulverized into individual layers
immediately when led into the septic tank; and "x indicates
that the samples were not separated into individual layers.
(Test for Decomposition in Water)
The samples were tested according to the water-
decomposability test in JIS P-4501. Precisely, each sample was
cut to have a length of 10 cm and a width of 10 cm, put into
a 300 ml beaker filled with 300 ml of ion-exchanged water, and
stirred therein with a stirrer. The revolution of the stirrer
was600rpm. While stirred, the sample was periodically checked,
and the time taken by it until its dispersion in water was
CA 02329387 2000-12-21
24
recorded. In Table 1, "O" indicates that the samples were
decomposed in water within 100 seconds; and "xll indicates that
the samples were not decomposed in water.
CA 02329387 2000-12-21
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CA 02329387 2000-12-21
26
.
ti
As set forth above, the water-decomposable absorbent
article of the invention has no absorbent layer in the outer
peripheral region, and the surface layer and the back layer
constituting it are heat-sealed with a water-soluble adhesive
layer disposed therebetween, in the outer peripheral region.
Therefore, since the surface layer and the back layer
constituting it are firmly bonded to each other in the outer
peripheral region, the absorbent article well retains its shape
during its use. Furthermore, when the absorbent article is,
after used, disposed of in flush toilets, it receives a large
amount of water therein, and the surface layer and the back layer
constituting it are separated from each other in the outer
peripheral region, thereby facilitating rapid decomposition of
the article within a short period of time.
While the invention has been described in detail and with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent
to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof.
Here, 'comprises/comprising' when used in this
specification is taken to specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, components or groups thereof.
